3D Printed Watch

3D Printed Tourbillion Watch

The ‘toubillion’ is an addition to a watch escapement that helps to keep more accurate time by lessening the effects of gravity on the mechanism. Check out Wikipedia for a more detailed explanation.

The tourbillion was first developed in 1801 by a Swiss watchmaker called Abraham-Louis Breguet. It is still used in some expensive watches today to show case the technical capabilities of the watchmaker.

Normally a watch of this calibre would be out of financial reach of the average person (can cost over $100,000), and beyond the capability of the average watchmaker. That was until some bright spark decided it was time that you should be able to 3D print one!

The 3D printed design was first done as a wall hanging clock by Adam Wrigley and later in 2018 the design was taken further by Adrien de Jauréguiberry in what he called the Hawk Eye.

Hawk Eye is a 3 axis tourbillion mechanism. OK, it isnt a fully fledge watch, but the time and dedication to design the individual pieces is something to be greatly admired.

If nothing more this is an example of how 3D printing can be used to produce the smallest of components where accuracy is paramount. We often get asked how accurate is 3D printing, we will be referring to this example from now on!

If you are interested in understanding more about 3D printing and its application to the production of spare parts then you can read further here.